Assessing the value of species: a case study on the willingness to pay for species protection in Chile

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Resumen

We conduct a valuation of species protection
in central Chile's Campana National Park (CNP) using
the choice experiment (CE) method. The CNP has been
recognized as having global relevance for the conservation
of biological diversity. Specifically, the aim is to
estimate thewillingness to pay (WTP) of park visitors for
protection of different protected species in the area:
popular species of flora and fauna that are known by
visitors of the park, inconspicuous species (phytofagous,
fungus) that are unknown to visitors, and species with
conservation problems of which visitors are unaware.
We also investigate the WTP for different levels of
species biodiversity protection within the sample as the
WTP for biodiversity protection is sensitive to the way in
which biodiversity is presented to respondents. The
levels of species biodiversity protection are represented
using “icon” inconspicuous species and numbers of inconspicuous
species protected in La Campana National
Park. This methodology allowed us to obtain information
on the sensitivity of the participants to the scope
of the information provided. Overall, visitors attach
positive and significant values to the local conservation
of species. These values are derived not only from the
desire to preserve popular species in the area but also
from the preservation or assured existence of inconspicuous
species that are protected in the park. Visitors
behave as consumers who are sensitive to changes in
the price of park admission as a result of the implementation
of specific strategies for wildlife conservation
management in the park. Furthermore, the study also
elucidates the observations that the public is able to
perceive biodiversity conservation in broader terms than
a single species and that greater benefits are attached to
the conservation of multiple species than single ones.
Results also provide insights into methodological considerations
regarding the conceptual framework used to
assess the valuation of biodiversity changes in developing
countries, including the level of biological diversity and
the scale of the change.